Banks, Piper. Geek High. New York: NAL Jam, 2007.
Miranda's life has been controlled by her intellect. She can do complicated math in her head. Her (unwanted) nickname is the human calculator. Miranda has plans to change that this school year. Her plans are more than a bit upset when her mother moves to London and leaves Miranda with her dad, stepmother, and stepsister. Through no fault of her own, she becomes responsible for revamping her school's Snowflake Gala. The principal also blackmails her into rejoining the math club. Miranda wanted to join Ampersand, the school's literary magazine. Miranda is intent on finding her passion, but everyone seems to thwart her efforts.
What I thought: I've noticed a trend in chick lit--a focus on the geeks as opposed to the popular people. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for this trend. I find it interesting that publishers have somehow realized that their teen readers may relate more to the geeks than the popular kids. That being said, this was an enjoyable read. I liked that Miranda refused to let her ability to solve equations in her head define her as a person. Her search for a passion is to be commended. Don't we all want to find or passion? I liked that Miranda aspired to be a writer. I would have liked a bit more description about her writing, but I can't have it.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks
Lockhart, E. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. New York: Hyperion, 2008.
In the summer months, Frankie goes from geek to chic. Gone is the fuzzy hair and the nonexistent chest. Frankie has the body of a woman; things are looking up for her sophomore year at Alabaster Academy. On her first day, she becomes the girlfriend of one of the most popular boys on campus. This should make Frankie happy, but it doesn't. Matthew is always ditching her for his friend Alpha. He also underestimates her--he basically tells her she's a pretty face, a cute body, and not much else. One night, Frankie follows Matthew and stumbles on a meeting of the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, Alabaster's secret, all male society. Frankie knows a little about the Bassets because her dad was one. It becomes her mission to get noticed. She discovers the lost history of the order and sets out to return them to their former glory. Will Alabaster survive Frankie's escapades? Will Frankie?
What I thought: I could not put this book down. It was a riveting read. The narration threw me for an instant. I expected first person and got limited omniscient. But it worked for the book. I liked the narrator. It's someone I wish I knew better. Throughout this book, I kept thinking of the Dead Poets Society. This book is very like it. Without the suicide. With more girls. I support Frankie in all her schemes. Should make those boys think twice about dismissing her as a silly girl again. A great book, I highly recommend it.
In the summer months, Frankie goes from geek to chic. Gone is the fuzzy hair and the nonexistent chest. Frankie has the body of a woman; things are looking up for her sophomore year at Alabaster Academy. On her first day, she becomes the girlfriend of one of the most popular boys on campus. This should make Frankie happy, but it doesn't. Matthew is always ditching her for his friend Alpha. He also underestimates her--he basically tells her she's a pretty face, a cute body, and not much else. One night, Frankie follows Matthew and stumbles on a meeting of the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, Alabaster's secret, all male society. Frankie knows a little about the Bassets because her dad was one. It becomes her mission to get noticed. She discovers the lost history of the order and sets out to return them to their former glory. Will Alabaster survive Frankie's escapades? Will Frankie?
What I thought: I could not put this book down. It was a riveting read. The narration threw me for an instant. I expected first person and got limited omniscient. But it worked for the book. I liked the narrator. It's someone I wish I knew better. Throughout this book, I kept thinking of the Dead Poets Society. This book is very like it. Without the suicide. With more girls. I support Frankie in all her schemes. Should make those boys think twice about dismissing her as a silly girl again. A great book, I highly recommend it.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Dear Mother, Dear Daughter by Jane Yolen & Heidi E. Y. Stemple
Yolen, Jane and Heidi E. Y. Stemple. Dear Mother, Dear Daughter. Illus. Gil Ashby. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong- Boyd's Mill Press, 2001.
This collection of poems, authored by a mother and daughter, is a conversation batten a daughter and a mother. The topics are familiar ones for those who are daughters and mothers. Homework, body image, cleaning your room, crushes, death, hobbies, extending bedtime, boredom, growing up, talking on the phone, PE, and money.
What I thought: These poems are brilliant. Heidi E. Y. Stemple writes with great insight as does Jane Yolen. These women have been both daughters and mothers and those experiences are evident in the poems. I recall having conversations on similar topics with my own mother. I don't have children of my own, but when I do, I plan to give my daughter a copy of this book so we can understand each other better. Thank you ladies for creating such a legacy for women to give their daughters.
This collection of poems, authored by a mother and daughter, is a conversation batten a daughter and a mother. The topics are familiar ones for those who are daughters and mothers. Homework, body image, cleaning your room, crushes, death, hobbies, extending bedtime, boredom, growing up, talking on the phone, PE, and money.
What I thought: These poems are brilliant. Heidi E. Y. Stemple writes with great insight as does Jane Yolen. These women have been both daughters and mothers and those experiences are evident in the poems. I recall having conversations on similar topics with my own mother. I don't have children of my own, but when I do, I plan to give my daughter a copy of this book so we can understand each other better. Thank you ladies for creating such a legacy for women to give their daughters.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Emmaline and the Bunny
Hanniagan, Katherine. Emmaline and the Bunny. New York: Greenwillow, 2009
Emmaline wants a bunny more than anything, but bunnies are banned in the town of Neatasapin. Bunnies are not neat, just ask the mayor. Emmaline's quest for a bunny to hop and scoot-skedaddle with transforms the town into a friendlier place. (Just ask the animals).
What I thought: The book is delightful. I love Hannigan's word choices. The story reads like poetry. Her illustrations are great. I love the soft colors and the contrast between Emmaline and the other "neat" children. I believe Emmaline and the Bunny will be as popular and beloved as Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Emmaline wants a bunny more than anything, but bunnies are banned in the town of Neatasapin. Bunnies are not neat, just ask the mayor. Emmaline's quest for a bunny to hop and scoot-skedaddle with transforms the town into a friendlier place. (Just ask the animals).
What I thought: The book is delightful. I love Hannigan's word choices. The story reads like poetry. Her illustrations are great. I love the soft colors and the contrast between Emmaline and the other "neat" children. I believe Emmaline and the Bunny will be as popular and beloved as Beatrix Potter's The Tale of Peter Rabbit.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Chicks with Sticks (It's a Purl Thing)
Lenhard, Elizabeth. Chicks with Sticks (It's a Purl Thing). New York: Speak, 2005.
Scottie's having a hard time dealing with her aunt's death. Amanda's worried someone will find out about her learning disability. Bella is the school's resident hippie, all smiles, peasant skirts, and wheat grass juice. Tay is one of guys, resident tomboy. Problem is she's also crushing on one of the guys. Knitting brings these four girls together. They become knitters and friends.
What I thought: This book was a quick read and gives a new meaning to chick lit. Although I'm not a knitter (I crochet!), I know enough to easily join the chicks with sticks in their journey. I liked that the author made the girls individuals. I'd like to see a book about friends who crochet, but I'm not the one to write it. I applaud Lenhard for taking an old hobby and giving it new life. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.
Scottie's having a hard time dealing with her aunt's death. Amanda's worried someone will find out about her learning disability. Bella is the school's resident hippie, all smiles, peasant skirts, and wheat grass juice. Tay is one of guys, resident tomboy. Problem is she's also crushing on one of the guys. Knitting brings these four girls together. They become knitters and friends.
What I thought: This book was a quick read and gives a new meaning to chick lit. Although I'm not a knitter (I crochet!), I know enough to easily join the chicks with sticks in their journey. I liked that the author made the girls individuals. I'd like to see a book about friends who crochet, but I'm not the one to write it. I applaud Lenhard for taking an old hobby and giving it new life. I can't wait to read the other books in the series.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Boy Proof
Castellucci, Cecil. Boy Proof. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick, 2005.
Who is Egg? A fan of the Sci-Fi flick Terminal Earth. (Can't you tell? She's renounced her given name and adopted the heroine's name as her own). She's the daughter of a small-time actress and a big-time "mask-maker, animatronic freak, monster and alien specialist, special-effects makeup wizard" (22-23). She draws. She's a photographer. She sometimes has better ideas than her dad. She's boy proof (just as her mom) and okay with it.
Egg knows who she is. Until Max enters the picture. He makes Egg question her identity.
What I thought: This was a brilliant book. Egg's voice is edgy and real. Even though I'm not much for Sci-Fi in any of its manifestations, the details were interesting and I could relate because I have some Egg-like friends. The theme of identity is strong and readers will relate. Every teen questions their identity at some point. Egg's no different. Neither am I. Or you (you know who you are).
Who is Egg? A fan of the Sci-Fi flick Terminal Earth. (Can't you tell? She's renounced her given name and adopted the heroine's name as her own). She's the daughter of a small-time actress and a big-time "mask-maker, animatronic freak, monster and alien specialist, special-effects makeup wizard" (22-23). She draws. She's a photographer. She sometimes has better ideas than her dad. She's boy proof (just as her mom) and okay with it.
Egg knows who she is. Until Max enters the picture. He makes Egg question her identity.
What I thought: This was a brilliant book. Egg's voice is edgy and real. Even though I'm not much for Sci-Fi in any of its manifestations, the details were interesting and I could relate because I have some Egg-like friends. The theme of identity is strong and readers will relate. Every teen questions their identity at some point. Egg's no different. Neither am I. Or you (you know who you are).
Friday, May 1, 2009
Review: Willa by Heart
Paratore, Coleen Murtagh. Willa by Heart. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2008.
Willa thought life couldn't get any better. Her crush Joey is now her boyfriend. She saved the town library. She enjoys her life at the Bramblebriar Inn, run by her mother and stepfather. She plans on calling Sam "Dad" on Father's Day. Then she discovers a mysterious girl (who is also beautiful) who has a connection to Joey. Her mother announces she's pregnant. She doesn't get the role she wanted in the play. But you know Willa--she's willful. She overcomes these problems and continues to enjoy great books and saltwater taffy.
What I thought: As the third installment in the Wedding Planner's Daughter series, I was not disappointed. Willa hasn't changed even though she has a boyfriend now. She's still an avid reader and very civic minded. "Willa's Pix" (her personal book recommendations) are great as always. I think this series would be great to use for a mother-daughter book club. Clubs could easily use "Willa's Pix" to make future selections.
Willa thought life couldn't get any better. Her crush Joey is now her boyfriend. She saved the town library. She enjoys her life at the Bramblebriar Inn, run by her mother and stepfather. She plans on calling Sam "Dad" on Father's Day. Then she discovers a mysterious girl (who is also beautiful) who has a connection to Joey. Her mother announces she's pregnant. She doesn't get the role she wanted in the play. But you know Willa--she's willful. She overcomes these problems and continues to enjoy great books and saltwater taffy.
What I thought: As the third installment in the Wedding Planner's Daughter series, I was not disappointed. Willa hasn't changed even though she has a boyfriend now. She's still an avid reader and very civic minded. "Willa's Pix" (her personal book recommendations) are great as always. I think this series would be great to use for a mother-daughter book club. Clubs could easily use "Willa's Pix" to make future selections.
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